(Eupatorium perfoliatum ‘Boneset’)

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Boneset is a native clump-forming perennial flower that commonly grows in wet soils of woods, prairies, and meadows throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant grows to the height of 3-4' and features wrinkled lanced shaped leaves that surround a hairy stem that is topped by clusters of flat corymbs of puffy white flowers. Not only is this plant great as a cut flower, but it also attracts bees and butterflies, is drought resistant, can grow in a container, has medicinal uses, is resistant to deer, and self sows! 

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  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Medicinal
  • Companion Planting
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​Family: Asteraceae 

Genus: Eupatorium 

Species: perfoliatum

Variety: Boneset

Also Known As: Thoroughwort, Feverwort, Agueweed, Indian Sage.

Native Range: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Grown as: Perennial
 
Maturity (Blooms): July to September

Light: Full Sun To Part Shade

Water: Medium

Soil Moisture: Moist to Wet

​Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Boneset flowers attract bees and butterflies.

Containers?: Yes. To grow Boneset in a container, a cold-moist pretreatment at 40 degrees 
​Fahrenheit for 3 weeks to 3 months will increase germination percentages. After pretreatment, sow seeds in a fine germination mix containing milled sphagnum moss. Transplant to potting mix after seeds have germinated. Seeds germinate at 70 - 85 degrees  Fahrenheit and in the presence of light. Use a greenhouse with alternating temperatures (day temperatures 70 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit, night temperatures 65 - 68 degrees Fahrenheit). 

Maintenance: Low

Height: 36-48"
 
Spacing: 18-24"

Sow Depth: 1/8"
 
USDA Zone: 3-8

Produces: wrinkled lanced shaped leaves that surround a hairy stem that is topped by clusters of flat corymbs of puffy white flowers. 
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Garden Uses: Good size and late bloom for borders, native plant gardens, rain gardens, wildflower gardens, cottage gardens, woodland gardens or banks of ponds or water gardens.
Direct sow in late fall, pressing the seeds into the surface of the soil since they need light to germinate. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 60 days before direct sowing. To start indoors, scatter the seed on the surface of the soil in a flat; compress the soil slightly and keep it lightly moist until germination, which is naturally slow but should take place within 2-3 months. Keep the soil consistently moist, and transplant seedlings as soon as they reach a height of several inches.
Keep seedlings watered, since they need even moisture in their first year of development; they may not bloom until their second year of growth. Mature plants can tolerate drought, though they reach their full potential in moist, well-drained soil. This plant may spread by rhizomes and self-seeding, and can be divided after several years of growth. Cut the plant down to the ground after the first frost. This plant attracts butterflies and bees.
For fresh flowers, cut long stems of flowers that have just opened and place them in water immediately; strip the leaves that will fall below the water. If using the plant as an herb, keep in mind that it is toxic when fresh and must be dried before use; the health benefits of this plant have not been proven, so use with caution.
Late in the season, these fuzzy flowers will begin to turn dull brown. Snip off entire heads and spread them out in a protected location to prevent the light seed from blowing away. When the heads have completely dried, shake them to remove the seed. The fluff attached to the seeds does not affect germination. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
Thoroughwort is one of the most popular domestic medicines in North America where it is used in the treatment of influenza, colds, acute bronchitis, catarrh and skin diseases. It has been shown to stimulate resistance to viral and bacterial infections, and reduces fevers by encouraging sweating. The plant, however, should be used with some caution since large doses are laxative and emetic and the plant might contain potentially liver-harming pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The leaves and flowering stems are antispasmodic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emetic, febrifuge, laxative, purgative, stimulant, vasodilator. A hot infusion of the dried leaves and flowers is used as a very effective treatment to bring relief to symptoms of the common cold and other similar feverishness - it loosens phlegm and promotes its removal through coughing. This herb is practically unequaled in its effectiveness against colds. It is also used in the treatment of rheumatic illness, skin conditions and worms. The leaves and flowering stems are harvested in the summer before the buds open, and are dried for later use. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant, harvested when it first comes into flower. It is used in the treatment of illnesses such as flu and fever.
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

 Companion Planting

Try pairing Boneset with New England aster, cardinal flower, Beebalm, Green-headed coneflower, Goldenrod, Carex amphibola, Carex radiata, Switch Grass or Indian Grass.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Foliage may scorch if soils are allowed to dry out.

Suggested Varieties

(Monarda citriodora ‘Lemon’)

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Lemon Bee Balm is a native annual herb that is commonly found growing in sandy/rocky prairies or along roadsides throughout the southern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features square like stem, narrow 2” lance shaped leaves, and globular clusters of two-lipped flowers that are light pink to white. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, tolerates drought, makes insecticides, is resistant to deer, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!
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(Monarda didyma 'Scarlet')

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Scarlet Bee Balm is a native annual herb that is commonly found growing in moist woods, and along streams and rivers throughout the eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-48” and features square like stems, 3-6” lance shaped, medium green leaves, and globular clusters of two-lipped aromatic flowers that are scarlet red. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and pollinating moths, is resistant to deer and rabbit, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!
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(Monarda punctata ‘Spotted’)

Spotted Bee Balm is a native clump-forming biennial herb that is commonly found growing in dry soils of prairies, and in sandy plains throughout the Midwest, southern, and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-24” and features 1-2' branching stems, 3” oblong, teethed, medium green leaves, showy pink bracts, and small, pale yellow flowers that are spotted with purple. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, tolerates drought, is resistant to deer, is both edible and medicinal, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
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